White's plea agreement calls for Kaczmarek to hand down a minimum sentence not to exceed 30 years and determine the maximum penalty. Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

If a jury had convicted White of first-degree murder, which is included in an open count of murder, White would have faced a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

Daquavis D. Martin

Kaczmarek on Tuesday was scheduled to preside over a trial for White and Daquavis T. Martin, who also faces the open murder charge. Martin's trial was postponed to Friday because his attorney was trying another case.

Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Boyd said his office's decision to enter into the agreement was simple.

“Well, 30 years, that's why,” he said. “We've still got Martin that's going to go to trial. He was one of the more culpable individuals involved; White, we felt, was one of the lesser culpable people involved.”

The deal also was discussed with Gross' family, Boyd said.

“After discussing it with the family, with a 30-year cap, they were pleased,” he said. “So we decided to go in that direction.”

View full sizeDemarkus R. Bowes, left, and Elmer T. Curry III listen to testimony during their April preliminary hearing in connection with the Feb. 26 beating death of Gregory Gross.Jeff Schrier | MLive.com

Gerow testified that Curry said he was driving a Geo Prism when somebody yelled, “Stop, there's one right there.” Curry and the others then got out of the car and began punching and kicking Gross, Gerow said Curry told him.

Bowes also confessed to his role in the incident, Gerow said.

The plea agreements that Curry and Bowes entered into called for them to testify against White and Martin.

Bowes and Curry, also known as “Weedy,” “Elmo,” and “EC3,” are scheduled for sentencing on Monday, Oct. 7. A sentencing date was pending for White, also known as “Moo-Moo,” while Martin, also known as “Little K” and “Lil Man,” remains jailed pending Friday's trial.

— Andy Hoag covers courts for MLive/The Saginaw News. Email him at ahoag@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter @awhoag